| SHANGHAI TRIAD (1995) | back to main | |
| Directed by Zhang Yi-Mou;
starring
Gong Li,
Li Bao-Tian, Xiao-Xiao, Ye Sun-Chun, Li Xui-Jian. |
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| OK, technically speaking this is a Mainland Chinese production: A naive bumpkin comes to 1930s Shanghai to serve as a valet for the spoilt mistress (Gong Li) of the city's biggest triad boss (Li Bao-Tian). Intrigue and bloodshed leave his marks on the young boy. SHANGHAI TRIAD was Chinese auteur Zhang Yi-Mou's last vehicle for his lover Gong Li (they separated during the shooting), and is generally considered his weakest film. While it certainly doesn't measure up to RAISE THE RED LANTERN, RED SORGHUM and JU-DOU (masterpieces all three of them), it still is a film of remarkable beauty, emotionally complex characters and situations and brilliantly observed details. Some have frowned at the coldness of the leading characters, but then this is neither a coffeetable movie nor a romantic comedy. | ||
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The events in SHANGHAI TRIAD
are seen through the eyes of this country boy who doesn't comprehend what's going on around him. No surprise he's very afraid. |
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Gong Li plays a bitchy songstress
who knows her place ... all too well! |
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This is not only the title of a
song
(performed by Gong Li herself), but the message of the movie: "Pretending". The soundtrack for the film
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A rather obviously symbolic shot:
Split mirrors are not exactly new in filmmaking. |
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Li Bao-Tian, a most versatile actor
he is!
Remember him as Gong Li's devoted lover in JU-DOU (1990)? Only five years later, he plays an aging triad boss in SHANGHAI TRIAD. He certainly cares for the girls ... |
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The desperate longing of Gong Li's
character is beautifully atoned-for by the films many blueish scenes. |
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Even if their relationship came
to an end during the shooting, Zhang still knew
how to make Gong Li look gorgeous. Not that this is terribly difficult! |
